Finding the Best of Toledo, OH:

A Bucket List for Art,

Food, and Adventure

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September 24, 2024 by Pablo Alvarez

Reading Time: 8 minutes

Welcome to Toledo, Ohio, a city full of hidden gems and must-see attractions! Regardless if you are a lifelong resident or a visitor passing through, there’s always something new to discover, worthy of a place on a Toledo, OH, bucket list. 

As Doni Miller CEO of the Neighborhood Health Association puts it, “Toledo is an amazing place to visit all year round.  Glow kayaking at the Metroparks in the fall, summers filled with festivals celebrating the wonder of Greek, Black, Hispanic, and Polish cultures, extraordinary experiences at our award-winning zoo, and our nationally recognized museum make every minute in Toledo worthwhile.” 

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Toledo’s culinary journey

Toledo’s food scene is a delicious adventure waiting to be discovered. With numerous cafes, markets, and restaurants, Toledo has something to satisfy every palate. Our recommendation? Come hungry and ready to enjoy a flavorful journey through this thriving food capital! 

As Riley Runnells from the Toledo City Paper puts it, “Toledo is known for its endless restaurants and culturally diverse food options, and the food truck scene carries on that title. Whether they are a regular staple at a specific location or always finding a new place to set up shop, these freestanding kitchens offer Toledoans a delicious bite.” The paper has a Toledo Food Truck Guide with numerous recommendations to choose from spanning cuisines from Mexico, Philippines, Africa, and more. 

For a quality vegan spot Frankly Plant-Based Kitchen is a 100% plant-based food trailer offering great American food. Owner Meara Swiler additionally suggests, exploring Quenched & Tempered Brewery. She says, “You can find trivia nights in several places across Toledo. Our favorite can be found at Quenched & Tempered Brewery, every Wednesday at 6:30 pm. The theme changes each week, and with general knowledge, visual rounds, and topical questions, you always have a chance!” 

For a great cafe and cause, “Christy’s Corner Cafe in Elmore, Ohio, serves fabulous coffee and food with a smile!  Since its inception in 2019, Christy’s Corner Cafe has been dedicated to honoring the memory of Christy Bosch by creating employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities. With the support of her community, Christy, a woman with Down’s syndrome, won numerous awards for her community involvement and had the opportunity to be employed — despite the fact that unemployment for people with disabilities is twice as high as for nondisabled individuals. In the past year alone, Christy’s Corner Cafe has provided over 1,300 hours of paid employment for employees with disabilities. Each hour, employees are paid above minimum wage and supported by job coaches, fostering an environment where they can gain job skills and self-confidence. Cafe visitors can expect fabulous food and coffee with a cause!”

Dan Madigan of Toldeo Farmers Market states, “The Toledo’s Farmers Market is the oldest operating market in Ohio, operating since 1832. Open every Saturday year round it was the vibrancy of the social scene for the Downtown Warehouse District. As a leader in adopting food access for those in need, we have harnessed a grateful clientele that adds diversity and opportunity for people of all backgrounds to interact.  Over the last 20 years, we have grown from 35 vendors to over a hundred today. Attendance of 5,500 is common during the peak growing seasons. Partnering with a nonprofit organization, we hold monthly night markets that attract 3,500 to 5,000 attendees. Local craft breweries are on hand as well as food trucks and 75 additional artisans.  The market’s success has helped redevelop the warehouse district with loft housing and apartment living, a minor league baseball team and stadium as well as over a dozen restaurants and bars.”

Whether you are exploring alone or with friends, finding a fun place for drinks in a new city is always fun. For wine Dustin Heineman from Heineman Winery invitingly shares, “Heineman Winery is Ohio’s oldest family-owned and operated winery, showcasing the rich grape history of the Lake Erie Islands. Gustav Heineman established Heineman’s in 1888 and is proudly celebrating 136 years in business. We produce 23 different kinds of wines and two grape juices. Heineman’s is also home to Crystal Cave, the world’s largest celestite geode!”

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Explore Toledo’s art scene

Whether you’re an art enthusiast or simply someone who appreciates beauty, Toledo offers galleries, murals, and public installations sure to dazzle. 

Wedding Maps the ultimate destination for finding a world-class photographer begins the recommendations by saying, “ A must-have on any new Toledo resident’s bucket list is a visit to the Toledo Museum of Art. This world-class museum offers stunning collections, including works by renowned artists and mesmerizing glass art. Afterward, head over to the famous Tony Packo’s Café for a taste of their legendary Hungarian hot dogs, a landmark open since 1932!” 

Another staple of Toledo’s art scene is the 20 North Gallery. Gallery manager, Anastasia Wagner says, “Founded in 1993 and located in the historic downtown Warehouse District, 20 North Gallery is the oldest independent art gallery in the city of Toledo. 20 North Gallery is committed to providing emerging and established fine artists (working in a variety of media both traditional and contemporary) with a commercial venue to display and sell their work, bringing art and arts experiences to the greater Toledo community — and assisting collectors in building both corporate and private collections. In addition to artist talks, multiple featured exhibitions per year, and private venue rental space, 20 North Gallery offers patrons residential and office consultations for art acquisition, placement, and installation.”

Stephany Below of Great Lakes Loving suggests, “New residents of Toledo, OH, should definitely add the National Museum of the Great Lakes to their Toledo bucket list. Toledo is a fantastic location from which to explore the Great Lakes, located right on Lake Erie and within a 2.5 to 6-hour drive of the other four lakes. The National Museum of the Great Lakes boasts 300 artifacts and 40 hands-on interactive exhibits to help you learn more about these lakes’ rich cultural and geographic history. 

This museum is located right next door to one of Toledo’s newest green spaces, Glass City Metropark, a sprawling expanse on the river that includes a skating/ice rink, restaurant, multiple playgrounds, a splash pad, and more. Additionally, the museum sits on a picturesque bank of the Maumee River in eastern Toledo, with a fantastic view of the Veterans Glass City Skyway Bridge behind it and two fascinating boats to tour—the 617-foot iron ore freighter Col. James M. Schoonmaker Museum Ship and the historic Museum Tug Ohio.”

If you are looking to make some art yourself then Andrea Snyder from Pop It Paint It suggests, “Visit Pop It Paint It art studio in Waterville, OH, to tap into your inner artist. Create wooden door rounds, porch leaners, or canvas paintings that reflect your decor style! Host a private event, have a birthday party, sign up for an open paint night, or sign up your kids for summer art camp!” 

Andrea Fix from Scrap 4 Art adds her own Toledo, OH, bucket list suggestion: “One of my favorite Saturday stops in the 419 is nonprofit Scrap4art in Maumee. It’s a hidden gem that artists, crafters, and creatives should discover. You never know what kind of cool materials you’ll find to help create no matter what medium you choose and it’s SO inexpensive!”

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Adventure outdoors

With its beautiful parks, scenic waterfronts, and trails Toledo is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts. With activities in all seasons, we asked locals for their best recommendations. 

Dirk Broersma from A Walk In The Park, a dog lifestyle center recommends, “A must-see is the Oak Openings region, to the west of Toledo, a distinct natural landscape that the Nature Conservancy rates equally as important and unique as the Florida Everglades. There are numerous parks, like Secor Park, that have trails for walking and cycling, there are bicycle trails between the parks, there is Irwin Prairie, which has a boardwalk through a unique wet prairie landscape, and there is the Kitty Todd nature preserve. Every spring, the Toledo Zoo releases the endangered Karner Blue butterfly as part of a preservation program.” 

Jenny Van Houtte from GardenView Flowers recommends stopping by when she says, “A day spent wandering through the more than five-acre GardenView U-Pick Flower Garden offers a colorful and enchanting summer experience! Stop by with the gals for a girl’s day of flower picking, spend the evening at a Kayak & U-Pick or Yoga in the Garden, or pop by with the family on Pick n’ Picnic Sunday for flowers and food from local food trucks. For a little everyday boost, also check out the ‘In Season by GardenView’ flower shop at the gardens for pre-made designer arrangements, flower resin art, and the most delectable floral-inspired home goods for decorating your new home.” 

Now that the fall is here, photographer Cynthia Dawson shares, “Our family loves visiting Gust Brothers Pumpkin Farm every fall — it’s become a yearly tradition! The kids enjoy feeding the barn animals, finding their ‘perfect’ pumpkin, and getting lost in the corn maze. We always finish the day with fresh donuts. In the summer, their nearby flower farm is perfect for creating beautiful bouquets, with a sunflower trail with swings and tractors for the kids to explore.” 

For a memorable experience, Julie Emerine from Centennial Terrace says, “Come check out Centennial Terrace’s Summer Concert Series and enjoy a cold beer while listening to live music in a beautiful, outdoor venue. Centennial Terrace hosts many other events that all ages can enjoy such as Pizza Palooza, Dance Parties, and the Star Spangled Celebration for Sylvania’s Fireworks on July 3rd. Come check out our next event at Centennial Terrace!” 

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Interactive experiences to add to your Toledo, OH, bucket list

Hidden gems are scattered throughout Toledo, each with their own unique experience. The more you explore, the more connected you become with the city. 

Amanda Viviano of flower shop Bartz Viviano says, “When you’re in Toledo, a visit to Bartz Viviano Flowers & Gifts is a must for your bucket list. This locally owned gem offers a unique selection of fresh flowers, one-of-a-kind gifts, and stunning seasonal décor. Known for its warm ambiance and outstanding customer service, Bartz Viviano creates an unforgettable shopping experience that adds a special touch to any occasion. Whether you’re looking for the perfect gift or a beautiful floral arrangement, you’ll leave feeling inspired and welcomed.” 

Sierra Ortiz of Women of Toledo invites you to visit and join the organization. She shares, “Women of Toledo’s mission is to educate, engage, and empower women and youth to keep moving forward through our advocacy, economic empowerment, mentorship, and our youth initiatives. We organize and facilitate programs, services, and forums that provide a brave space where women and girls can lean in, connect with other women, and build new skills and resources while creating mentorship and peer networking circles. Our signature Forum takes place annually on March 8th, celebrating International Women’s Day, in which women from all parts of the world join us in Northwest Ohio to share their stories to connect with and inspire our community.”